About SailorShop.co.uk

Where we came from...

SailorShop.co.uk launched back in 2013 from a Warsash Maritime Academy cadet's cabin. Chris, a fresh-faced deck cadet at the time, was fed up with how expensive chartwork instruments were for students.

So he started buying in bulk and selling kits to his fellow cadets at much better prices. With help from his partner Slav, those early days were all about packing up a growing number of orders and making trips to the post office – even taking detours on camping trips to pick up supplies!

The website grew steadily, and after leaving Warsash, Chris often returned to run pop-up shops for new cadets. It wasn't long before SailorShop became the place to go for cadet essentials.

Getting bigger...

We expanded to Amazon and eBay, gradually adding more and more to our range. We found some real winners and things really started to fly! Working with brilliant suppliers and fulfillment partners helped us grow even faster.

Chris has always loved sailing, so branching out to help leisure sailors was a no-brainer. We added books and charts to the mix, and, well, here we are over a decade later!

Who's this Chris guy?

Chris Doyle, a Master Mariner, started his career with P&O Cruises and Cunard, serving as Third Officer on Queen Mary 2. After years of globetrotting and enjoying the cruise ship life, he decided it was time to be closer to home.

He joined a ferry company, working his way up to Captain and commanding a 190 metre long ferry by the age of 35.

Chris is passionate about maps, books, and sailing – and SailorShop lets him share those passions. We source the best products, read the books, pore over the charts, and we are always ready with recommendations for your needs.

Plus, we're total geeks for charts, cartography, hydrography...you get the picture!

Chris is always just a WhatsApp or email away, seven days a week (even in the wee hours!). We're a personal business and we'll always be there to give you the best service possible.

The Team

Slav, our tech whizz, is an Electronic Engineer turned Management Consultant turned Product Manager (so yeah, he's pretty good with all that!). He's the one who occasionally gets seasick (oops!), but he's enjoyed some sailing trips and, after hours of listening to Chris go on about charts, books, and all things sailing, he's actually learned a thing or two!

We work with a fantastic team of suppliers, publishers, and fulfillment partners (who keep our stock organised and pack up your orders) to make sure you get the best possible service.

Aerial view of a large red cargo ship docked at a pier. The ship is loaded with various containers and cargo secured with ropes and equipment. The surrounding water is calm and deep green in color. The pier has multiple platforms extending out into the water.

How can we help?

Do you need:

A chart selection for an upcoming voyage?
A pilot book recommendation?
Gift ideas?
A map-geek chat?
Books, charts or instruments for your business?

Get in touch!

Boring Bit

Business Information

See our policies at the bottom of the page for more information about deliveries, refunds, privacy and terms. If you have any questions or concerns let us know!

Registered for VAT in the United Kingdom, number GB470829962

And if you've come all this way looking for an answer about the name... Well it's a shop for sailors and in the early 2010s what-it-says-on-the-tin names were all the rage...